Phonethep Family Devastated by a House Fire

My name is Malisa. I am one of 5 children of George and Norkeo. I am seeking help to rebuild my parents’ home. 

My parents fled the war in Laos and sought refuge in Thailand. They lived in and out of refugee camps in Thailand for 7 years. They worked extremely hard day and night, farming, gathering and hunting to provide for our family. Some days they would go without eating because there wasn’t enough food to go around, but they always made sure their three children ate first.


On April 25, 1988, our family immigrated to Seattle, WA. My parents did not know the language or customs and did not have money. They did not fully understand what it would be like here but they knew that it would give us a better life and the opportunity that we would not be able to get if we stayed in Thailand. 

Shortly after arriving, my parents found jobs and got a 1 bedroom apartment for the 5 of us. My parents have always been extremely hard workers, incredibly after only five years of arriving in this country they were able to purchase a home. Over many years they have built a community by being good neighbors and kind generous people. Beacon Hill is a vibrant family neighborhood where they raised their five children and grandchildren. Hundreds of family dinners, holiday celebrations, baby showers and birthdays were spent in the home they worked so hard to own. 

On February 22, 2018, our whole lives literally went up in smoke. There was a gas explosion in the garage and within minutes the house was engulfed in smoke and fire. They not only lost their home but their belongings (sentimental things they can never get back). By the grace of God my parents and brothers were able to get out of the house. 

Imagine tomorrow everything you own except the clothing on your back is suddenly gone. Not only your basic necessities but also the things that can never be replaced, photos of your children, your parents, special precious things that are now gone forever. 

We had to restart with nothing and working with the insurance company, we were able to get things like replacement clothing, bedding. Then we hired a local contractor and paid him a total of about 300k. He promised us that the house would be rebuilt in one calendar year. Every week we would check in with the building site and were assured the house was coming along but very little progress was seen. 

It has now been over two years and the contractor is refusing to finish the house or refund the money. He is now MIA. What would you do if your family home was burnt to the ground and the person you trusted with the only money you had to rebuild refused to do the job? It is a heartbreaking and deeply unjust situation and now we have to try and self fund and rebuild our family home. My parents paid their house insurance every month for decades, that money was their safety net so that in a worse case scenario they would never again be without a stable home for their family. This contractor took my parent’s insurance money and with it, the ability to rebuild the home with the very safety net they created and counted on. 

My parents have worked all their lives not only to support their family but to also help others. They are generous, kind and hard working. I am asking for your help to give my parents a comfortable home for them to live in as they get older in age. They are in their mid to late 60s and like most people still have to work to survive. I would really appreciate any help you can give. Your support means the world to our family.